What benefits am I entitled to?

Firefly_777

Ok. I'm seem to be going round in circles, as I can't seemed to find any answers.

I will be in my last year of uni in september, however I will be only doing 60 credits which is one module (20) and my project(40)... My one module would have a fixed 3 hours of lectures a week, and with my project there is no fixed timetable (I can spend as much or as little time on it if I wanted to). I am also working 12 hours a week as a cleaner.

I know if I was to be doing full time uni in september I wouldn't be entitled to anything in the summer holidays because I would have my student loan and grant... however in September I won't be hardly getting anything (be lucky to get a £1000 for the whole year, and that's without having a loan to pay tution fees). So I am wondering where do I stand with this? Is there a cut off point? The term ended on the 24th June. I am trying to find a job with more hours, as my current employer will not give me any overtime despite handing in my slips on time, and asking for my slip back, they keep telling me that they will and but then keep avoiding me (it wouldn't bother me so much if they just said no there isn't any).

What benefits am I entitled to? If there are any?x:(

Indie_Kid

Are you disabled? Are you a lone parent or part of a couple responsible for a child?

Firefly_777

No I am not disabled, and I do not have any children. Also for clarification, doing 60 credits means that I would be studying part time (120 credits for full time education).x

Firefly_777

Anyone know the answer to my question? x

dmg24

Could I ask why you are only taking 60 points this year? Are the university definitely classing you as part time?

Firefly_777

I'm taking 60 points because I messed up half my modules one year (failed them)... But now I am now in my final year and only have 60 points as this is all i need to complete my degree...

As far as know it would be seen as part time... it wouldn't be fair not being able to get a student loan (I think it needs it needs to be 80-100 or more) and to still be considered as full time.x

Indie_Kid

You would be entitled to a small grant I think.

Firefly_777

Yea I already read up about the grant... unfortunately my quest for more hours at my current job or my quest for another part time work is not working so far (I know I have a few more months - but the more time goes the more worried I get... the grant wouldn't cover my tution fees (never mind books and stuff)... I think I'm going to have to go a student advisor to discuss my options to see if there is any way round it.x

Indie_Kid

You might get the tuition fee grant too.

bodmil

Could you not increase the number of hours you are working? I worked 16 hrs a week whilst studying full time, so there's a lot of potential to increase your income yourself. You could perhaps find a higher skilled job that relates to your degree and set yourself up nicely when you do finish.

Firefly_777

We'll see about the tution fee grant... I wasn't aware that there was one for part time students

I could ask my present employer for extra permanent hours, but then I doubt it if they never give me any overtime or keep forgetting to give me my side of the slip. Though I'll give it a go...

It would be better for me to find a higher skilled job that relates to my degree, unfortunately my degree is a scientific one, and you generally need the degree to anything. Any medical laboratory assistant jobs I ever found were only full time. x